In this insightful discussion, historian Yuval Noah Harari, famed for his works like Sapiens, delves into the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He analyzes October 7th’s events, the failures of Israeli leadership, and the escalating war in Gaza. Harari reflects on the narratives of victims and perpetrators and the intricacies of compromise versus justice. The conversation also touches on global politics, the impact of extremism, and the role of religious symbolism in perpetuating tensions. A thought-provoking exploration of modern geopolitics.
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Personal Connection to the Attacks
Yuval Noah Harari was in Turkey when the October 7th attacks began.
His family and friends in Israeli kibbutzim were directly impacted by Hamas's actions.
insights INSIGHT
Netanyahu's Role in the Crisis
Many Israelis blame Netanyahu's 14 years of populist rule for the current crisis.
They feel he prioritized personal interests, weakened state institutions, and fueled national division.
insights INSIGHT
Netanyahu's Failed Policies
Netanyahu's policies, including strengthening Hamas and prioritizing settlements, backfired.
This left the border with Gaza vulnerable, leading to the success of the October 7th attacks.
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This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.
Homo Deus
A Brief History of Tomorrow
Yuval Noah Harari
In 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow', Yuval Noah Harari examines the future of humanity, predicting that in the 21st century, humans will strive for happiness, immortality, and god-like powers. The book discusses how technological developments, such as artificial intelligence and genetic engineering, will shape human society. Harari speculates on the possibilities of overcoming death, creating artificial life, and the potential risks and philosophical implications of these advancements. He also explores the impact of humanism, individualism, and transhumanism on our future and questions the continued dominance of humans in a world increasingly driven by data and algorithms.
Sam Harris speaks with Yuval Noah Harari about the events of October 7th and the resulting war in Gaza. They discuss the unraveling of global order, the failure of the IDF, the incompetence of the Netanyahu government, the goals of Hamas, the Saudi peace treaty, the right of Israel to exist, the status of Palestinian and Jewish refugees, victim and perpetrator narratives, compromise vs justice, the Palestinian citizens of Israel, lessons from WW2, the danger of focusing on the past, the perverse significance of the al-Aqsa Mosque, the double standards to which Israel is held, false analogies to European colonialism, the rise of antisemitism, the future of politics in Israel, America’s role in preserving global order, the war in Ukraine, and other topics.
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